Ladies&#39; handbag



Oct. 14, 1958 R. SHIELDS 2,855,969

LADIES HANDBAG Filed Oct. 24, 1956 Ross Shields INVENTOR.

M40132 M -mm Unitcd States Patent LADIES HANDBAG Ross Shields, Lewistown, Ill., assignor to Marvelle M. Meydam, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application October 24, 1956, Serial No. 618,026

1 Claim. (Cl. 150-28) This invention relates to a novel handbag for use by women and girls and has reference to a handbag which is original in that it is constructed to represent a miniature barrel.

Needless to say, handbags are designed and constructed in almost every conceivable shape and form. Current trends have, however, led to styles which are in representation of boxes, baskets, and all sorts of rigidtype containers. With a view toward extending and enhancing the appearance of uniquely styled handbags, it is an object in the present matter to embark on a newer line of thought. To this end, the instant concept has to do with a handbag which is singularly distinct and differ ent in that it takes the form of a miniature barrel and which lends itself to eye appeal by reason of the fact that it is a replica of a genuine keg or barrel and is, at the same time, practical and useful.

Briefly and somewhat broadly the improved handbag is characterized by a container having a given exterior shape. The container is characterized by a rigid, hollow body portion and rigid top and bottom wall. Thus constructed, the container serves to provide a fixed interior receptacle portion which may be appropriately lined using suitable material which lends itself to use in ones handbag. The upper or top portion of the container is separate from and hingedly mounted on the upper part of the body portion and constitutes a lid or cover. As a general rule, this is provided on its interior side with a face mirror and at least one article holding clip which may be employed to support a readily accessible lipstick. Handle means is also appropriately mounted on the body portion and is such in construction that it adds to the over-all distinctive appearance of the handbag.

More specifically, the container in its preferred embodiment is constructed to represent a miniature barrel, and to this end the body portion is constructed from longitudinally bowed staves with their abutting lengthwise edges connected by interfitting tongues and grooves. Ornamental hoop-like bands encircle and are fixedly mounted on the body portion as well as the end portions in somewhat customary fashion and these may be made of highly polished brass, copper or the like. Although not absolutely necessary, the handle takes the form of a bail and this is fashioned in representation of a carrying handle used, for example, on a pail or bucket.

The invention also features a removable partition mounted adjacent the bottom and cooperating with the main bottom wall and defining a false bottom as well as a so-called secret compartment between itself and the bottom wall.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative, but not restrictive, drawings.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

' tural entity, is denoted by the numeral 6. The container ice Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handbag constructed line 33 ofFigure 2, lookingin the direction of. the

arrows.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing more in detail the underneath construction of thehinged lid or cover.

Referring now to the drawings with reference numerals and accompanying lead lines, the container, as a strucis such that it is preferably rigid in form and provides a rigid interior space or receptacle portion for small arti-' cles such as are customarily carried in ones handbag. The container is generally cylindrical in cross-section and, as before stated, is constructed to represent a barrel, that is, a miniature barrel such in size that it is suitable to function as an attractive handbag. To this end, the body portion is therefore characterized by a plurality of longitudinally bowed wooden or equivalent staves 8 having their abutting lengthwise edges connected by tongue-and-groove joints in the manner seen in Figure 3. Fitted into a circumferential groove at the bottom is a circular fiat bottom wall or head 10. A similar wall or head 12 is fitted into a groove provided therefor in the upper end as depicted in Figure 2. On the underneath side of this, an appropriate face mirror 14 is at tached. Also, at least one spring or resilient clip 16 is likewise attached here to accommodate a lipstick or the like 18. The upper portion is sawed or otherwise cut on a horizontal line 20 to provide an openable and closable lid or cover. This is hingedly mounted as at 22, the leaves of the hinge being denoted at 24 and 26. The hoops or bands are preferably of polished brass or copper. These bands constitute representative hoops which are bound on and constitute a part of a barrel. For example, the marginal portion of the lid or cover is embraced by an upper band 28 and below this and around the upper portion of the body there is a similar band 30. It will be noted (to the left in Figure 2) that these bands are suificiently close together that they provide a foundation and place of attachment for the leaves of the hinge, that is, the leaves 24 and 26. In addition, and on a diametrically opposite side, there is a resilient tongue 32 which is fastened at 34 and constitutes a catch. This has a suitable detent 36 releasably engageable with a keeper seat 38 provided therefor in the band 30. The other bands are denoted by the numerals 40, 42, and 44, respectively. As before mentioned, a partition is provided on the interior of the receptacle portion and this is circular and is denoted by the numeral 46. It constitutes a false bottom and is mounted in spaced parallelism above the bottom wall 10 and cooperates therewith in defining a secret compartment 48. If desired, the principal surfaces of the interior of the body portion and false bottom may be covered with appropriate lining material 50 such as is ordinarily used in the interior construction of a handbag.

The handle means may vary in that it could be a chain, or leather strap, with appropriate and ornate accessories. By preference, however, the handle comprises a brass or copper U-shaped bail 52 having its ends hingedly mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the body portion as at 54. On the bight portion an appropriate hand-grip 56 is provided. As will be evident from the disclosure, the instant invention constitutes a unique handbag indeed. It is distinctive and ornamental and,

Patented Oct. 14, 1958- rsenals? it-is believed, original in' appearance. It constitutes an innovation-in-handbags -for use'by women and girls.

It is submitted that the preceding description when taken in conjunction with the drawing will befound to be clearly descriptive of' the spbject i'natter of invention under con'sideration.

Minor changes in shape, size, mate rial, and rearrange and providing a fixed interior receptacle portion adapted to accornrno datingly contain articles such as are usually carried in ones ha'ndbag, -said -top portion being separate from and hingedly mounted on the upper part of said body portion and providing-a cover, said container being constructed to represent' a miniature :barrel and said body portion being constructed from longitudinally bowed tongue-andfgrooveconnected staves, ornamental hoop-likebands encircling and mounted on said body portion, handle means comprising a pivotally mounted bail fashioned in representation-ofa pail carrying-handle, a :false bottom removably mounted inthelower part of said receptacle portion and spaced above said bottom wall and cooperating therewith "in defining a secret compartment, said container being circular in cross-section, said false bottom comprising a disk having a bevelled marginal edge wedged and friction-fitted in place, that portion of the container beneath said false bottom being of a cross-section less than the .diameter of said false bottom, and the top of said false bottom and interior walls of the container proper being covered with lining material.

References Cited -in the the of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 115,088 Niles May 23, 1871 171,077 Wright Dec. 14, 1875 366,650 Danheiser July 19, 1887 1,169,281 Parker Ian. 25, 1916 1,591,515 Diskin July .6, 1926 ,1,5,9 2,457 Greenberg July "13, 1926 2,428,972 Jackler et ,al. Oct. 14, 1947 2,541,511 Guzel Feb. 13, 195d 2,727,548 :Kasdan Dec. 20, 1955 27 1230 wKasdan 5-", Dec. 25, 

